FHLB Dallas and BankPlus Help Mississippi Family Achieve Homeownership Through $20,000 HELP Grant
A Mississippi family’s dream of owning a home has become a reality thanks to a housing assistance program designed to make homeownership more accessible for first-time buyers. Jharmain and Charity Inge of Meridian, Mississippi, recently purchased their first home with the support of a $20,000 Homebuyer Equity Leverage Partnership (HELP) grant provided by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) through its member institution, BankPlus. The grant significantly reduced the financial burden associated with purchasing a home by helping cover the family’s down payment and closing costs, allowing them to complete the purchase earlier this year.
The achievement highlights the growing importance of down payment assistance programs in addressing one of the biggest challenges facing first-time homebuyers. Rising home prices, higher borrowing costs, and upfront purchasing expenses have made homeownership increasingly difficult for many families. Programs such as the HELP grant are designed to bridge this affordability gap by providing eligible buyers with financial support that can make purchasing a home both practical and attainable.
For the Inge family, the journey to homeownership began while exploring financing options that would enable them to purchase a home within their budget. During that process, they connected with BankPlus, where they learned about two important resources available to qualifying buyers: the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas’ HELP grant program and the BankPlus Welcome Home Mortgage product.
By combining the mortgage financing offered through BankPlus with the financial assistance available under the HELP program, the family was able to overcome the upfront costs that often delay or prevent first-time buyers from entering the housing market.
The $20,000 grant was used specifically to assist with the home’s down payment and closing costs—expenses that frequently represent one of the largest financial hurdles during a home purchase. Eliminating or reducing these costs enabled the family to finalize the transaction sooner than they otherwise might have been able to.
BankPlus officials say connecting customers with available housing assistance programs is an important part of helping more individuals and families achieve long-term financial stability through homeownership.
Carla Gable, an officer with BankPlus, said programs like the HELP grant have the potential to transform what is possible for first-time homebuyers by reducing the financial barriers associated with purchasing a home.
She explained that her role extends beyond processing mortgage applications to helping customers identify assistance programs that fit their needs and guiding them throughout every step of the homebuying process. According to Gable, seeing customers reach major milestones such as purchasing their first home makes the work especially meaningful.
Financial assistance programs such as HELP can provide a critical boost for buyers who have the income needed to qualify for a mortgage but struggle to accumulate sufficient savings for upfront expenses. Down payments, closing costs, inspections, and related fees often require thousands of dollars in cash, creating a significant obstacle even for financially responsible households.
For the Inge family, the homebuying process lasted approximately three months. Throughout that time, they worked closely with BankPlus representatives to complete financing requirements, secure grant assistance, and finalize the purchase of their new home.
The experience ultimately marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the family.
Jharmain Inge expressed appreciation for the support he received throughout the process, noting that the BankPlus team remained committed to helping his family achieve its goal.
He described his experience with the bank as outstanding, saying every member of the staff treated him with kindness while doing everything possible to help throughout the homebuying journey. For him and his wife, becoming homeowners represents much more than simply purchasing property—it fulfills a long-held dream and provides a foundation for their family’s future.
Owning a home often represents one of the most significant financial milestones individuals achieve during their lifetime. Beyond providing stable housing, homeownership allows families to build equity, establish long-term financial security, and invest in their communities. For many first-time buyers, assistance programs play an essential role in making that milestone possible.
The Homebuyer Equity Leverage Partnership (HELP) program administered by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas was created specifically to assist income-qualified first-time homebuyers. The program provides grants that help eligible borrowers reduce the substantial upfront costs associated with purchasing a home.
Under the current program guidelines, qualified homebuyers in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi may receive grants of up to $20,000 for eligible down payment and closing costs.
In Texas and New Mexico, qualifying buyers may receive grants of up to $25,000, reflecting housing market conditions and program allocations in those states.
Rather than working directly with individual homebuyers, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas delivers these grants through participating member financial institutions. Banks such as BankPlus serve as local partners, helping eligible borrowers apply for assistance while integrating the grant into the overall mortgage financing process.
This collaborative model enables community banks and financial institutions to provide a broader range of affordable housing solutions while leveraging the resources of the Federal Home Loan Bank System.
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas has long supported affordable housing initiatives across its five-state district through grants, community investment programs, and partnerships with financial institutions. Its community investment efforts are intended to expand access to affordable housing, encourage neighborhood development, and strengthen local economies.
Greg Hettrick, Senior Vice President and Director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas, emphasized the importance of working with member institutions to make homeownership more attainable for families throughout the region.
He noted that partnerships with member banks such as BankPlus help expand access to affordable housing by connecting qualified homebuyers with valuable financial assistance. According to Hettrick, the organization is pleased to support families like the Inges while investing in stronger communities through sustainable homeownership opportunities.
Programs like HELP not only benefit individual homebuyers but also generate broader economic and social benefits. Increased homeownership can contribute to neighborhood stability, encourage long-term community investment, and support local economic activity through home purchases, renovations, and related spending.
Financial assistance programs are becoming increasingly important as affordability challenges continue to affect housing markets across the United States. Higher home prices and mortgage rates have increased the amount of cash many buyers need at closing, making grant programs an essential resource for eligible households.
By reducing upfront costs, these programs can help borrowers preserve savings for future expenses such as home maintenance, emergency funds, and other financial priorities while still achieving homeownership.
Community banks also play a vital role in maximizing the effectiveness of these initiatives. By educating customers about available programs, assisting with eligibility requirements, and coordinating financing, participating lenders help ensure that grant funding reaches families who can benefit the most.
For BankPlus, supporting affordable homeownership aligns with its broader commitment to serving the financial needs of communities across Mississippi and neighboring states. Through partnerships with organizations such as FHLB Dallas, the bank continues to provide mortgage solutions that make purchasing a home more accessible for first-time buyers.
The Inge family’s successful home purchase demonstrates how collaboration between community financial institutions and housing assistance programs can create meaningful opportunities for families seeking long-term financial stability. By combining mortgage financing with grant assistance, the family was able to overcome one of the biggest barriers to homeownership and begin building equity in a home of their own.
As affordable housing remains a priority across many communities, programs like the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas’ HELP initiative continue to provide critical support for eligible buyers while helping strengthen neighborhoods and promote sustainable homeownership. For families like Jharmain and Charity Inge, that support has turned the dream of owning a home into a lasting reality.
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